Walking across America, Ryan Ray stops at his hometown in Henryetta for reunion

Ryan Ray is on a mission to walk across across America. Ray began his journey in Santa Monica California on February 28 for a 3,010 mile journey to New York on a 26 stop speaking tour that brought him to his hometown of Henryetta. The halfway point of his journey found him visiting with old friends and hosting a speaking celebration at Nichols Park which featured live music, food, and a chance to hear Ray speak.

Ray states that the purpose behind the walk is to inspire everyone to life the life they have always dreamed of. “Once upon a time, my life didn't belong to me. As a professional cubicle warmer, every day was nearly identical to the next. The weeks melted into a series of months, melting into a series of years filled with mundane, menial events. I lived in a largely predictable, purposeless vacuum that lacked any heart. I knew something was off, but I truly believed I was trapped.

One day, all that changed. Inspired to make a simple shift in my perspective, in just thirty days time, I was working in Spain and living the life I had always dreamed of. Now, I’m sharing my experiences with others. In each talk, I’ll share where I’ve been and how I got there—literally and metaphorically—going from a corporate paper pusher living paycheck to paycheck, to: dreaming of a different life, finding the key to open the door to my dreams, traveling through Europe, India, Asia, Northern Africa, Alaska, Central America and beyond, getting clear about my motivations, creating and hosting a TV show with 1.2 million viewers, and more.” states Ray’s website RyanRay.com

Ray, who graduated from Henryetta High School in 1998 relocated to Los Angeles where he is now a motivational speaker and writer. He has traveled to around the world in an effort to live the life he has always dreamed. On July 17, Ray reached Henryetta where he met with those gathered at the Sugar Shack for a meet and greet and a community walk to Nichols Park, a distance of 2.3 miles. The walk ended 6 p.m. when the group reached Nichols Park.

Ray’s speaking event began at 7:00 p.m. with a question and answer session beginning at 8:00 p.m. The first two hundred attendees were given custom-made, signed postcard from Ryan's walk across America. Sovereign Dame and Kaizen Pursuit provided the live music.

Ray is currently travelling approximately 8 to 10 hours a day along Highway 62 where he will cross into Arkansas then continue North through Missouri. For more information or to donate to Ray’s journey, visit RyanRay.com